Musings From Abroad

18 million malaria vaccines to be delivered to 12 African nations— WHO

Published

1 year ago

July 7, 2023

The World Health Organization (WHO) and some of its partner agencies have revealed that around 18 million doses of the first malaria vaccine would be delivered to 12 African countries.

WHO, in conjunction with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Vaccine Alliance, said the vaccine recipients would include Uganda by 2025.

WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a briefing that “Malaria remains one of Africa’s deadliest diseases, killing nearly half a million children under the age of five every year.”

“It has been shown to be safe and effective, resulting in a substantial reduction in severe malaria and a fall in child deaths,” Tedros said.

Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite. The parasite is spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. In 2021, 96 percent of the world’s malaria deaths occurred in Africa.

More than 1.7 million kids in three African nations — Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi — have already received the Mosquirix vaccine created by British pharmaceutical behemoth, GSK as part of a test program.

The health organizations announced in a statement that although nearly 30 African countries had said they wanted to receive doses, nine nations would receive supplies in addition to the three test countries, which would continue to receive doses.

They are Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.

The director of the WHO’s immunization and vaccines division, Kate O’Brien said, “It’s really important to remember nearly every minute a child dies of malaria… (vaccines are) an additional tool in the toolbox to fight against the severe disease, the deaths that occur.”

By 2026, 40–60 million doses of the malaria vaccine will be required annually, and by 2030, 80–100 million doses will be required, according to estimates from the WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi.

Related Topics:Featured Malaria Vaccines WHO

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Musings From Abroad

Brazilian meatpacker JBS invests $2.5 billion in Nigeria, builds six facilities

Published

1 hour ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Brazilian meatpacker JBS says it has inked a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian government for a $2.5 billion investment plan that will include the construction of six new plants in the African nation.

Three of the plants would deal in poultry, two in beef, and one in pork, according to a statement from JBS.

In accordance with the memorandum of understanding, JBS stated that it would develop a five-year investment plan in Nigeria, which would include budget estimates, feasibility studies, and an action plan for the development of the local supply chain.

The Nigerian government would then guarantee the sanitary, regulatory, and economic conditions required for the project’s viability, JBS continued.

Musings From Abroad

China’s Xi meets with Morocco’s Crown Prince

Published

1 hour ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Morocco’s official media reports that Chinese President, Xi Jinping, visited Morocco briefly on Thursday.

According to Morocco’s MAP, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan welcomed Xi in Casablanca. The visit demonstrated the close ties of camaraderie, collaboration, and solidarity between the Moroccan and Chinese peoples, it said.

China’s official broadcaster, CCTV, said that Xi and Hassan had a “cordial conversation” at the airport after being received by the Crown Prince and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.

After attending the G20 Summit in Brazil, Xi paid the visit.

In recent years, China has increased its investments in Morocco’s rail and infrastructure. Morocco is desirable for Chinese electric car battery manufacturers because of its proximity to Europe, free trade agreements with important EU and US markets, and an established automotive sector.

Morocco was chosen by Chinese EV battery company Gotion High Tech in June to establish Africa’s first gigafactory, which will cost $1.3 billion in total.